Cluster bombs: The controversial weapon Israel claims Tehran used in Iran-US war

What are cluster bombs?: Israel has accused Iran of using cluster munitions during the ongoing conflict with Israel, raising concerns about the risks such weapons pose to civilians.

The Israeli military said the weapons had been launched multiple times since the war began, describing their use against populated areas as a potential violation of international humanitarian law. Military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani said the army was monitoring the situation closely.

“They’ve used it multiple times, which is a war crime when it’s directed towards civilians, and we’re tracking that situation,” Shoshani was quoted as saying by media reports.

What exactly are cluster bombs?

Cluster bombs are weapons designed to release multiple smaller explosives, known as submunitions or bomblets, over a wide area rather than producing a single explosion.

According to reports by the Associated Press, the warhead of a cluster munition opens in mid-air and disperses dozens of smaller explosive devices. These bomblets then fall across a wide radius and detonate on impact.

Military experts say the purpose of such weapons is to cover a large area and increase the likelihood of hitting targets such as vehicles, equipment or military units spread across a battlefield.

However, a major concern is that some bomblets fail to explode immediately. These unexploded devices can remain on the ground for long periods and pose risks to civilians who may accidentally trigger them.

How the weapon works

Israeli authorities said one of the missiles launched by Iran carried a cluster warhead instead of a conventional explosive payload.

According to the Israel Defence Forces, the missile detonated high in the air and scattered smaller submunitions across a wide area.

The warhead exploded about seven kilometres above the ground, releasing roughly 20 smaller bomblets across an area of about eight kilometres.

One of the submunitions reportedly struck a house in the town of Azor in central Israel, causing damage but no immediate casualties.

Israel’s Home Front Command warned residents not to approach unexploded objects that might remain on the ground after such attacks.

Israel says Iran used them

Israeli officials say the weapons were used during recent Iranian missile strikes on Israeli territory.

According to the Israeli military, the missile carrying cluster submunitions was launched toward central Israel during one of Iran’s retaliatory attacks.

Footage from the night of March 5 showed multiple flaming projectiles falling through the sky over central Israel, which analysts say is consistent with cluster munition deployment.

The Iranian Terror Regime is attacking Israel using ballistic missiles with cluster munition warheads. While in the air, these missiles release dozens of small bombs that disperse over a wide radius. These weapons are designed to inflict indiscriminate damage to as many… pic.twitter.com/18mmWD2SLh — Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) March 5, 2026

The Iranian Terror Regime is attacking Israel using ballistic missiles with cluster munition warheads.

While in the air, these missiles release dozens of small bombs that disperse over a wide radius.

These weapons are designed to inflict indiscriminate damage to as many… pic.twitter.com/18mmWD2SLh

— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) March 5, 2026

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Why cluster bombs are controversial

Cluster munitions are widely criticised because of the risk they pose to civilians during and after conflicts.

More than 100 countries have joined the Convention on Cluster Munitions, a 2008 international agreement that bans the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of such weapons.

🚨🇮🇱 JUST IN: Israeli emergency services MDA try to hide the destruction from Iranian cluster bombs. It’s time to leave the land. The sooner the better. pic.twitter.com/tWFrXJWLT4 — Jvnior (@Jvnior) March 5, 2026

🚨🇮🇱 JUST IN:

Israeli emergency services MDA try to hide the destruction from Iranian cluster bombs.

It’s time to leave the land. The sooner the better. pic.twitter.com/tWFrXJWLT4

— Jvnior (@Jvnior) March 5, 2026

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

However, several major military powers — including Iran, Israel, the United States and Russia — have not signed the treaty.

Human rights groups have repeatedly warned that unexploded bomblets from cluster weapons can remain dangerous long after a conflict ends, sometimes causing injuries years later.

Israel and Iran have both faced accusations in the past over the use of cluster munitions in regional conflicts, according to international rights organisations and previous investigations.

(With inputs from agencies)

Mashkoora Khan is a journalist and sub-editor on the global desk at The Indian Express. She actively covers issues around Canada visa, immigration policy, global affairs, and international developments. A trained multimedia journalist, she focuses on producing clear, accurate, and reader-centric explainers on policy-driven subjects that directly affect cross-border mobility and global audiences. Experience Mashkoora has worked across digital newsrooms and independent media platforms, with bylines in national and international publications including Al Jazeera, Down to Earth, The Wire, and Maktoob. Her professional experience spans breaking news, policy explainers, live coverage, and multimedia reporting. At The Indian Express, she is part of the global desk, where she contributes to daily international coverage and plays a role in editing and producing stories on foreign policy, immigration systems, and regulatory changes — particularly those related to Canada’s study, work, and permanent residence pathways. Expertise Her core areas of reporting include: • Canada visa and immigration: Coverage of policy updates, eligibility changes, application processes, and government announcements, with an emphasis on factual explainers and verified information. • Global affairs: Reporting on international politics, diplomacy, and geopolitical developments. • Migration and human impact: Stories that examine how policy decisions affect individuals, families, and migrant communities. Her work prioritises accuracy, sourcing, and context, helping readers navigate complex systems without speculation or exaggeration. Authoritativeness and trustworthiness Mashkoora's reporting is grounded in official data, government releases, and on-record sources, in line with The Indian Express’ editorial standards. Her articles aim to distinguish clearly between verified information and developing updates, making her coverage a reliable reference point for readers seeking clarity on international and immigration-related issues. ... Read More

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